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Arsenal’s
Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after scoring
their second goal during the English Premier League football match
between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London
on December 2, 2018. Adrian DENNIS / AFP

Arsenal won an explosive north London derby as Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang’s brace and Alexandre Lacazette’s crucial strike inspired a
pulsating 4-2 win over bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
Unai Emery’s side extended their unbeaten run to 19 matches in all
competitions after fighting back from 2-1 down in arguably the Premier
League’s game of the season so far.
Aubameyang’s penalty had put Arsenal ahead before Eric Dier’s header
and a Harry Kane spot-kick gave Tottenham the lead at half-time at the
Emirates Stadium.

Dier’s gloating celebration in front of Arsenal’s fans had triggered a touchline brawl involving Arsenal substitutes.
But the fireworks were far from over as Aubameyang’s superb long-range equaliser sparked a second half surge from the Gunners.
Lacazette came off the bench to put Arsenal ahead and Lucas Torreira sealed the points with his first goal for the club.
Capping a miserable day for Jan Vertonghen, the Tottenham defender
was sent off in the closing stages after earlier giving away Arsenal’s
penalty.
It was only Arsenal’s second win in the last nine league north London
derbies and, while stealing local bragging rights is always sweet, this
felt like a significant moment for Emery’s team in the bigger picture.

Emery has revitalised Arsenal since the depressing final years of Arsene Wenger’s reign.
But losses to Manchester City and Chelsea and a draw with Liverpool
had raised questions about Arsenal’s ability to compete for a top four
finish.
This stirring comeback was exactly the kind of statement of intent
Arsenal needed as they moved above Tottenham into fourth place on goal
difference.
Ending their hated neighbours’ six-match winning run showed Arsenal
aren’t content to let the balance of power in north London remain with
Tottenham.
Biting into challenges and harrying Tottenham into panicked mistakes,
Arsenal made a blistering start and their relentless tempo paid
dividends in the 10th minute.
Vertonghen jumped with Shkodran Mustafi as they challenged for a
corner and the Belgian’s raised arm clearly made contact with the ball
as he tried to block the Arsenal defender’s header.

Fever pitch
Referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty and Aubameyang sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the spot for his 11th goal of the season.
Despite being dominated for the opening half hour, Tottenham snatched a 30th minute equaliser as the derby reached fever pitch.

The goal and subsequent fracas sparked Tottenham into life and four minutes later they were ahead.
Son Heung-Min’s pace was too much for Arsenal to handle and Rob
Holding responded by making a rash sliding challenge on the South Korean
in the penalty area.
There was only minimal contact but Son fell to the turf and, to Arsenal’s fury, Dean pointed to the spot.
Kane lashed home the penalty for a record-equalling eighth Premier League goal in north London derbies.
Arsenal’s sense of injustice spurred them on and Emery responded by
sending on Ramsey and Lacazette, back from a groin injury, at half-time.
They proved inspired moves as Gabon forward Aubameyang conjured a majestic equaliser in the 56th minute.

Hector Bellerin’s long pass was flicked on by Ramsey and Aubameyang
was first to the pass, unleashing a ferocious strike that flashed past
the disbelieving Lloris from 20 yards.
Tottenham had reverted to their earlier timid performance and Arsenal went ahead in the 74th minute.
Lacazette slipped when he took aim from the edge of the area, but his
miscued shot took a deflection off Dier and trickled past Lloris.
Torreira delivered the knockout blow three minutes later, running onto Aubameyang’s pass and fired low into the far corner.
There was still time for Vertonghen to see red for an 85th minute
lunge on Lacazette that rounded off Arsenal’s perfect afternoon.